Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-10-15

tioD. The yields without irrigation
are up to eighty bushels for oats, sixty
five for wheat, forty for corn, and two
or three hundred Bushels per acre for
potatoes, and there has been this year
very abundant crop of small fruits.
The increase of rainfall and the new
canals, with the loss of range stock
during the past winter have given a
new Impulse TO regular farming in
Montana.
Stock raising is next alluded to. He
lays on this subject: prior to the
present year this important in
dustry was in most prosperous con-
alton in Montana; but the last terri
ble winter was most disastrous. The
shortness of the grass crop consequent
upon the drought Of the preceding
summer, combined with the deep
snow and excessive cold Of the winter
destroyed range cattle in numbers
amounting to great many thousands.
Hor-es suffered much less than cattle,
AS they have better organization for
digging Ia snow, and sheep still less
than horses, for the most Of them had
feed and shelter. The lesson taught
by the losses of the year, have turned
the attention of stockmen more gen.
orally to the production of grasses and
other forage plants. More hsy has
been put up the present season than
ever before.
The following is the estimated num-
ber of domestic animals by the asses
sors of the several counties of the ter
ritory, and other reliable sources, for
this present winter. to-wit:
Cattle...'"...'..... .,......'....,..' Il l,1oo,op
fOrEes...". ''.''.'''..."loo,ooV
Sheep....,...,"..... ...."."......,...,op,VVo
The grade Of cattle, horses and
sheep in this territory Is Of q high or
der. aud every farmer, rsnchman and
stockgrower is striving to improve
and gather a still better class of stock.
The wool gather this year from the
sheep In this territory has principally
been shipped and sold and must have
produced over one million dollars,
while the income from the sales Of
horses and beef cattle has been large
and full of remuneration. The total
assessed value of the taxable property
for the present year is sixty million
twohundred thousand dollars.
Mining is designated the leading oc-
cupation Of this people and its prog
ress has been constant and rapio.
Conservative estimate of yield Of
mines in gold, silver, lead and copper
for the year is S26. 100000.
The decrease of the forests Of Mon
tana are commented on and a remedy
suggested a. follows: "While these
forests are owned by the government
under present laws and regulations IL
may be difficult TO provide a remedy.
No one feels II to be his duty TO pro.
tect such public property, and each
claims a right to cut so much Of II as
he needs for his own use, and what he
can sell to his fellow citizens. But IL
these forest lands were surveyed and
sold to the citizens under proper regu.
latious, the individual owners would
have strong personal motive TO se-
cure such legislation and give such
supervision as would prevent the wan
ton waste Of lumber and the careless
and criminal destruction Of the forests
by fires. Or, II the proposed park on
the main range Of the Rocky noun
tains, In the north part Of the terri.
tory, were established and protected
by the military or other competent su-
thority, that part Of the natural beauty
and wealth Of this growing territory
might be preserved.
The influence Of railroads upon the
commerce of the territory and educa-
tioual advantages, are in turn dilated
upon and the unlawful occupation Of
school lands by settlers. II il de.
manded that all such persons be i'm
mediatsly compelled to vacste and
that ample provision be made for their
oversight and protection against Tres
pass and spoilation.
In relation TO the Montana militia
their utility is suggested aud also that
Congress direct the secretary OF war to
issue to the governor the stores and
supplies Of arms granted by the act OF
February, lSs7, none OF which have
yet been issued.
The labor supply. territorial and ma
tional public buildings, and eleemosyn-
AIRY Institutions receive due attention,
with suggestions OF improvement in
the assay office especially aud the es.
tablishment OF q refinery in connec.